Monthly Highlights of Research Activities: Observing World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day on January 30

In the Chapter “Hearts, Minds, and Sentiments: The Volunteers Program in the Immunization Program in Bangladesh and the Chagas Disease Control Project of Honduras ” of the book "State-Managed International Voluntary Service: The Case of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer," the author investigates JOCV activities within the Polio Control in Bangladesh, and the Chagas Disease Control program in Honduras. She examines how volunteers worked to instill “norms” and “trust,” and to affect changes of “sentiment” among people and organizations in two developing countries.

This research project consists of eight studies under the theme of health systems and the roles of governments and communities in preparing for future infectious disease crises. The following is a partial list of the studies, which are categorized into three subject areas.

This study consists of an antibody test for novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and an analysis of the results alongside COVID-19 reports from governmental agencies in the country. It aims to: (1) assess the COVID-19 situation not only in the capital but also in provincial cities; (2) explore the geographical and socio-economic relationships between COVID-19 cases; and (3) investigate COVID-19 cases among healthcare personnel at all levels of health facilities.

In Japan, infection prevention and control (IPC) measures have been in place in hospitals for many years. However, the first large-scale outbreak of COVID-19 nosocomial infections in Japan made us aware of the difficulties of ensuring 100% prevention while taking practical control measures within hospitals. By using openly published information, this study examines the cases of three hospitals in Japan where large-scale outbreaks of nosocomial infections occurred. It investigates their countermeasures from three perspectives: (1) operational management; (2) identification of infection status; and (3) infection control measures.

This study takes up the case of Vietnam, whose COVID-19 response is characterized as "successful case." It examines Vietnamese actions not only from the perspectives of the swiftness of the country’s early response as an infection control measure and the mobilizing power of the state among its citizens, but also from the perspective of the relationship between the state and society: how Vietnam actually appealed to its citizens, how the people reacted, and how they responded "voluntarily."

Many countries resorted to travel restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19, but there has been concern over the possibility that such strict measures reduced access to health care services, potentially leading to increased health risks. This study explores the impact of COVID-19, along with various background factors such as disparities between urban and regional areas, comparison of areas with and without the spread of COVID-19, the strength of cooperation between regional health care systems and hospitals, and awareness on the part of residents at regional hospitals in low- and middle-income countries, and considers how to address the challenges identified.

It has been revealed that how quickly people take effective preventive action against COVID-19 is critically important in containing the spread of the virus. This study examines the characteristics of involved actors, including organizations in the public sector such as governments, residents and other organizations, the impact of connections among actors on their health behavior, and how actors organically connect and build communities in non-emergency times, leading to rapid action in emergency situations.

According to international comparisons, Vietnam is a country that chose to take strict measures against COVID-19 and achieved favorable initial results while gaining public support. This report traces the progress of the initial policy responses to COVID-19 up to June 2020, and summarizes the decision-making mechanism, communication methods and narratives used to gain public cooperation for the measures.

In the past 30 years, the accelerating spread of emerging or reemerging infectious diseases has resulted in outbreaks in which originating countries could not contain infections within their territory. Several important initiatives have been proposed to prevent future pandemics, including reforms of the WHO and the preparation of emergency funding mechanisms. This study argues that the most important points are focusing on resilience to strengthen health systems, and a better understanding of the significance of community involvement.

Bhutan successfully implemented several measures against COVID-19, including border controls that were stricter than international standards, effective recruitment and redeployment of human resources for health, the mobilization of volunteers, the use of ICT (information and communication technology), the implementation of national COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, and the promotion of collaboration between the health sector and other sectors. This study argues that under robust leadership, Bhutan managed to prevent widespread community transmission of COVID-19.

Combating infectious diseases requires a comprehensive approach, including strengthening healthcare systems and ensuring access to safe water. This paper analyzes data obtained from a past JICA project on groundwater development in Zambia with the aim to reduce water-related diseases by improving access to safe and stable water sources. The project involved the construction of new borehole water supply facilities with hand pumps in 2012 and 2013. The research findings highlight the decreased incidence of diarrhea among working-age adults resulting in enhanced productivity, and reduced diarrhea among children, especially those of preschool age.